BREAKING NEWS: Miriam Margolyes embroiled in ‘racism’ row as ITV viewers demand apology

Miriam Margolyes Sparks Backlash After Awkward Exchange With Andi Peters on This Morning

Miriam Margolyes has found herself at the center of a backlash after an awkward exchange with This Morning presenter Andi Peters prompted accusations of racial insensitivity from some ITV viewers.

The 85-year-old actress appeared on the daytime programme on Thursday when a conversation with Peters unexpectedly turned to his background and skin tone.

Margolyes first questioned him about his accent before asking: “What are you?”

Peters appeared confused and repeated the question back to her, after which Margolyes suggested that he was “a mix.”

When Peters agreed that he had a mixed background in a broader sense, Margolyes then appeared to make an assumption about his parents.

“So you’ve got a black daddy and a white mummy,” she said.

Peters immediately corrected her.

“No, no, no. Both my parents are black,” he replied.

The presenter then appeared to try to lighten the moment, joking: “Am I a lighter shade than normal?”

Conversation Takes an Awkward Turn

Margolyes responded by using a term she said is used in America to describe someone with a lighter skin tone.

Peters, visibly puzzled, asked what she meant.

Margolyes explained that the expression referred to someone who was not “deeply black.”

Peters replied: “Right. But… I didn’t even know there were shades.”

“There are shades,” Margolyes told him.

As the exchange continued, Peters repeatedly touched his earpiece and suggested that people behind the scenes were becoming uneasy.

“They’re getting nervous,” he said.

Margolyes responded: “Don’t be nervous. Don’t be nervous. We welcome everybody.”

She then linked the discussion to a future book project, saying it was a subject she wanted to explore and describing the wider theme as being “about inclusion.”

The comments quickly drew attention after the broadcast, with some viewers arguing that the questions and assumptions about Peters’ ethnicity had crossed a line.

Others defended the conversation, saying discussions about heritage and family background should not automatically be treated as offensive.

Viewers Split Over the Exchange

Reaction on social media was sharply divided.

One critic accused Margolyes of making inappropriate assumptions about Peters’ skin color and background, while also pointing to the irony of the actress reportedly discussing issues such as racism and inclusion in her upcoming work.

Another viewer claimed ITV later removed the exchange from the version of the episode available on demand.

According to the report, the segment was no longer included when the programme appeared on the broadcaster’s streaming service.

However, ITV had not publicly addressed the controversy or confirmed why the section was removed.

Not everyone agreed with the criticism.

One viewer argued that discussing ancestry and heritage is normal and questioned why the exchange had caused such strong offense.

The differing reactions highlighted how quickly a conversation intended to touch on identity and inclusion became one of the most talked-about moments from the programme.

No Public Apology Announced

Margolyes has long been known for her outspoken style and willingness to speak candidly during television appearances.

But this exchange prompted some viewers to call for an apology, particularly over the assumptions made about Peters’ parents and ethnicity.

Peters himself appeared to handle the moment with humor while repeatedly acknowledging the apparent concern coming from the production team through his earpiece.

The report states that ITV had not issued an apology or formal explanation by the time the backlash gathered pace.

What began as a brief conversation about Peters’ background ultimately developed into a wider debate about language, race and how personal questions are handled on live television.

With viewers divided over whether the exchange was offensive or simply clumsy, the moment has once again shown how Margolyes’ famously unfiltered approach can generate controversy as quickly as it creates headlines.